Pakistan's prime minister will be charged with contempt of court and has been ordered to appear in person before the supreme court on 13 February, in proceedings that could lead him to be jailed and disqualified from office.

Yousaf Raza Gilani will be charged by the supreme court over his refusal to ask Switzerland to reopen a dormant money-laundering case against his party leader and president, Asif Ali Zardari.

A move to imprison the prime minister could lead to the toppling of the government and the intervention of Pakistan's powerful military to enforce court orders.

The courts and the army appear determined to end the rule of the coalition government led by the Pakistan Peoples party before it completes its term in February 2013.

Since 2009, the supreme court has been trying to force the government to write to the Swiss authorities to restart the prosecution of Zardari, in a case dating back to the 1990s in which it is alleged that he laundered $60m (£38m) while his wife, Benazir Bhutto, was prime minister.

As head of the government, Gilani is being held ultimately responsible for the letter not being sent.

Last month, Gilani had appeared before the court in its preliminary hearing into the issue and told the judges that he had not written the letter because the president enjoyed immunity from prosecution "inside and outside the country". Having heard the arguments of Gilani's lawyer, the court decided on Thursday to proceed.

"After the preliminary hearing, we are satisfied that prima facie there is a case for further proceeding into the matter," said the court order, issued on Thursday.

"Adjourned for 13 February, for framing charges. The prime minister is required to remain present in the court."

Officials of the ruling PPP insist that the letter to Switzerland will not be written, leaving a clash of wills between the government and the judiciary.